Baby Jones

Lilypie Second Birthday tickers

Friday, June 30, 2006

Random thought of the day

I do not think anyone should feel bad or dumb or forgetful when they forget the date. Why should we be expected to remember something that changes every day?

Tabs out

Thursday, June 29, 2006

Just got this in an email and thought I would share it with all you out there. Maybe it will be a motivator for some and a confirmation for others. Hope you are all having a great summer so far!!!

1) People who exercise live longer, on average, than people who don't. Active people have a lower risk of dying from heart disease and stroke, and they're less likely to get high blood pressure.

2) Exercise can help with health problems like type 2 diabetes (exercise can lower your blood sugar levels) and arthritis (exercise helps reduce joint swelling and pain and improves mobility).

3) Exercise makes you "functionally fit," meaning that it's easier for you to carry groceries, do chores, even go to the mall and shop for new (smaller) clothes!

4) Active people are less depressed, and depressed people often feel better after they start exercising.

5) Exercise can save you money. If you can prevent serious (and costly) medical conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis, you will have more money for your other needs.

6) Exercise is fun! Many of the activities you did for play as a child count as exercise. Dancing fast, walking your dog, bicycling, and gardening all strengthen your heart and lungs.

7) SO GO GET FIT!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Yes you can do it!! And it's easier to get started during the summer (since you can walk, run, swim, play tennis, or ride your bike outside in the nice weather) so get in the habit now so when fall and winter come around you'll be more apt to start going to the gym to keep up your workout routine. And don't forget to recruite a friend. That also helps with accountability and makes it more fun when you have someone to talk to while "working out." :)

Love you all!!

Tabs

Monday, June 26, 2006

Baby Sophia

I hope Roxy doesn't mind but these were just too cute and I had to share them with everyone (and by everyone, I refer to those that I know that don't know Rox so therefore miss the wonderful pictures of this sweet little girl and her mommy). Anyway, here are a few pictures of little Sophia doing a few things that little babies do. :)
Here she is showing how well she is learning to sit up all on her own. I also chose this picture cause I can really see her mom in her face. It's so fun to see my friends faces in their children (does that make sense?)


And my favorite picture.... (I can really see Rox in this face...just kidding) :)
















Well, hope everyone has a great day!!

Tabs

Thursday, June 22, 2006

Vegetables and Jello? What???

So I was making jello the other day and while I was stirring "till all is disolved" into the hot water I decided to read about the different things that you could do to make your jello a bit more interesting. A few of the ideas, if I recall correctly, are to make it with orange juice or maybe a flavored soda. As those of us who have attended many a potluck in our day know, you can add fruit to jello to make it rather tasty as well. But one thing that struck me as a bit strange was that they (they being the jello making people) suggested putting vegetables in the jello. What?!? Who was the genius behind that crazy idea? "Okay kids, time for dinner. We're having Strawberry jello with tomatoes and broccoli." Yum? How about gross! I just thought it was a bit strange that they would put that on the box as an idea. And the way they did it was so non-challant, too. They say something along the lines of "just pick out your favorite fruit or vegetable" and then proceeds to explain how to make the jello with your favorite fruit or vegetable. Does that strike anyone else as very strange? I cannot think of a vegetable that would go good with jello, and I love veggies and am always looking for new ways to eat them...but maybe I'm missing something. If you can think of a good veggie that can go with jello please let me know.

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SUMMER!!!!!


Well, it's finally here. The warm weather (at least in Oregon) can officially begin and stick around...of course, for us Oregonians that means our summer warm weather will have those bursts of rainy days spread sporadically throughout. But, it's time for visiting the beach (even though it's overcast a lot), picnics in the park, B-b-q's, hiking, backpacking (for those that like doing that), and all sorts of other super fun stuff that can be done outside and with friends! Oh, and can't forget just laying in the sun on a lazy afternoon...but (Krista) don't forget to put on that sunblock...at least an spf of 15...you don't want to deal with skin cancer down the road. :) Okay, I'll stop being the mom. :) Anyway, I hope you all enjoy a fabulous summer!!! I can't wait to hear all about it.



Love you all!!

Tabs

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Last weekend

Hey everyone! Sorry this is a bit late in coming but here are the pictures from last weekend. It was a rather eventful and busy one for me. I took a few pictures to document it for you all.
Saturday the 10th, I ran my third half marathon. I was a bit nervous before hand (almost to the point of backing out) because it was out in Hillsboro which is a really hilly area (hence the name). It all turned alright though. I had done some reading up on the race course and who ever wrote the little blurb I read should not be allowed to write for these kinds of things again because she sure didn't run the same race that we did. She made it sound like we would be running up for 3 miles straight...yuck! Well, I think that helped me because I think I was able to save some of my energy at the beginning for the "hills" that were to come so when they never really came I had more energy to put into just running hard. I'm sure this is all boring to you so I will get down to the more interesting stuff. This half marathon was called The Helvetia Run for the name of the Tavern we run by and the road we run on for a little bit. When you finish the race you run into the Hillsboro stadium with a whole crowd watching and cheering (so fun!) and then you can go grab your "famous Helvetia burger." I wasn't too excited about eating a burger right after my race but it actually was quite delicious. However, if the tavern sells burgers like this then I don't think I will be visiting it anytime soon. Lets see, there were over 2100 people that ran the half, but it sure didn't feel like it. I ran it in 1:40:02. I was 118 out of all those 2100+ people, 24th out of 1400+ women and last but not least 8th out of 256 women. Not too shabby. Actually, I shaved off 12 minutes from my last half marathon time and 7 minutes off my best time. Craziness!!! But so exciting!!! Here is a picture of some pretty amazing women athletes in our oh so cool new t-shirts. ;)
Well, then it was time to rush home and get ready for my roommates wedding shower. That was a fun time cause I got to hang with friends, have some yummy food, watch Annie get embarrassed a little bit and also meet Jeff's mom. He looks a lot like her, Annie says wait until you see his dad though. Her aunt through the party and made this really neat "wedding cake" out of towels and ribbon and fake flowers that I just have to show you. I almost thought it was real but then got closer and quickly realized (sadly) that it wasn't.....okay, well my computer is being stupid and won't let me put the picture one...sorry. Anyway, that was fun. Then I went to church then went home and crashed. I was one tuckered out little girl.

Then Sunday was another fun filled day for me. I met my dad for breakfast at Stepping Stone Cafe downtown for the best and hugest whole wheat pancakes ever. My poor dad, though, didn't get to eat his coveted whole wheat pancakes. For some reason they brought him a buttermilk pancake instead. He's a nice guy so he ate it anyway and seemed to really enjoy it. He is much nicer than me because I for sure would have sent it back in a heartbeat, especially if I've had my heart set on what I had ordered. I'm working on him, though. Soon he'll be sending his food back like a pro...okay, maybe not, but you know what I mean. Anyways, where was I? Oh right, after breakfast (which is so fun to do on a Sunday morning, I need to do it more often and so do you!) I hit Trader Joes. I just love that store. So sorry to those of you who live in places that don't have one. You are missing out, but if you ever come to Portland I'll take you. Or if you ever go visit somewhere that has one be sure to go, you will be so happy that you did. They have some fabulous food finds, and for cheap too! Then I went home, sat out by the pool in the sun for a bit and then got ready for Rachel to pick me up to go to her future sister-in-laws wedding shower over the river in Washington. That was a fun time because my little high school gang of girls were all there (except for one...miss you friend!). It was so good to see and spend time with them. It had been way too long. Both Rachel and Lisa are pregnant (which we just found out that Lisa is having a girl!!!). Stephanie I sat between the moms so I heard a lot of mom stuff on Sunday. :) Not that I minded one bit! After the shower Rachel and I went back to Oregon (across the river) and back to my neck of the woods to grab a yummy iced tea from Starbucks and do a little shopping. It was so refreshing to hang out with Rachel again. I've probably already said it but when we get a chance to hang out it's like time hasn't passed. We always are reminded of how alike we are (or are becoming) and its so fun. Rachel is even becoming good at calling and returning calls. I love it!!
By the way, I should add that I am wearing a shirt in the picture of me and the girls just above. My friend told me it looks like I'm not cause I'm tan and I match my shirt. Did you catch that? She said I was tan. Yay! I'm tan, but not really, just tan for me. :) But thats good enough for me, so I'll take it.

Well, that was my weekend. Maybe not as eventful to you as I might have made it sound but for me it was pretty darn exciting. Oh, and then there was the little incident of losing my wallet somewhere in the midst of all that. Today my dad and I went and got me a new license and a new wallet to put it in (my dad picked it out, he's so funny). I do NOT plan on losing this one any time soon. I told the ladies at work today that this was the Lords way of helping me clean out my wallet. And can I just tell you that I've pretty much come to grips with losing my wallet except for the fact that there was a $5 dollar bill AND a gap gift card in there for $20! SO NOT COOL! But, oh well. Maybe eventually it will turn up. Who knows. Either way, its gone and I have to move on. It served me well for many years. Thanks for all the fond memories, you will be missed!

Phew! That was a long post. I can be surprising long winded sometimes. I am so not wanting to type anymore so I am just going to post this and be done with it. I love you all and thanks for reading my blog! It just makes my day to know people actually check it. :) You all ROCK!

Have a great day!
Love You!
Tabs

Oh, two more thing...Happy Anniversary to my fabulous sister and her husband who are celebrating 15 beautiful years of marriage today. AND HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY KRISTA!!!! Sorry I'm a butthead and didn't call you on your birthday. Please don't hate me! I love ya girl! Can't wait to see you...whenever that might be. Your in my prayers!

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Okay, okay

I know, I know, it's been forever since I last posted, and posted anything real for that matter. I'm embarrassed by myself (so embarrassed that I haven't even been checking other peoples blogs cause I feel to bad). But hopefully tomorrow I will post about last weekend which, for me, was sort of eventful (I'll have pictures and everything). So to all my readers out there (and I know there aren't many), can you wait one more day? A new post is coming soon to a blog near you...promise! Thanks for your patience with me! You all are great!! I should mention two things that are going on right now though. 5-Day Clubs are rapidly approaching so things are staying busy in my little hub of an office and then yesterday I realized I lost my wallet. AAHHH!!! Please pray that I can locate it or that some nice person will find it and turn it in, OR that nothing is stolen out of it and used unlawfully. Thanks everyone!

Loves!
Tabs

Thursday, June 1, 2006

Oh how I love fruit!!

Okay, so I stole most of this from my favorite website, Hungrygirl, but when I read it the other day I just knew I had to share it with all my wonderful readers (all 5 of you). Plus it was easier than coming up with my own post today (things have been kinda crazy around here for me lately, I'm truly sorry for the lack of posting, but I'm trying really). With summer around the corner I thought this would be a great post so you could get some info on great fruit and some great ideas on how to enjoy them. So, lets dig in...


Blueberries:
Why we love 'em: Blueberries are jam-packed with nutrients and great taste, yet are very low in calories. These tart 'n tangy colorful circles of flavor are delicious in everything from pancakes to muffins to oatmeal and yogurt.
The Magic ingredient: Antioxidants. All fruits contain antioxidants, but studies show that blueberries contain the highest antioxidant content of all. This makes them great at destroying free radicals that cause disease and signs of aging.
How to enjoy 'em: In cold cereal, warmed up in a bowl of oatmeal, or as part of a BlueBran Vitalicious VitaTop (check this site out, these are awesome...the chocolate ones are the best!!!). Since we are so lucky to have a ton of blueberry farms and fields around the area I love to go out and pick a ton of them so I can enjoy them fresh and then freeze them and eat them like candy (yum) or blended in a smoothie (YUM!!). They are also delicious over waffles and yogurt!

Strawberries:
Why we love 'em: These beauteous red friends are little bits of berry bliss. Sweet and refreshing, they're one of the most delicious fruits ever. And lucky for us, they're also super-low in calories.
The Magic ingredients: Vitamin C. Strawberries actually have more of the stuff than oranges. Strawberries also contain ellagic acid, a natural cancer-fighting chemical. Researchers have found that this compound is a potent inhibitor of such carcinogens as tobacco smoke and nitrosamines.
How to enjoy 'em: Dipped in Hershey's Lite Chocolate Syrup, sliced in oatmeal, or on top of Dreyer's Slowed Churned Ice Cream in Vanilla or Strawberry. We can also get these fresh at little stands all over the area so don't miss out on eating these fresh as well. They are also good in smoothies and over waffles and yogurt! One of my friends LOVES these yummy red berries and has eaten half a flat all by herself (I won't name names but you know who you are).

Bananas:
Why we love 'em: There's a reason bananas are the most popular fruit in the United States -- they're delicious! They're sweet, but not too sweet, and they're soft, but not too soft. And bananas are fun to eat. Weeee!
The Magic ingredient: Potassium. Bananas are one of the best sources of this essential mineral. Potassium helps us to maintain normal blood pressure and heart function and helps prevent cardiovascular disease and stroke.
How to enjoy them: With a drizzle of honey, chopped up and mixed into a Jell-O SF pudding cup, or frozen with a touch of Hershey's Lite Chocolate Syrup. You can also make a fabulous peanut butter and banana sandwich (add a little honey and it gets even better!!).

Kiwi:
Why we love 'em: These hairy, brown babies may not be much to look at, but cut one open and you'll find that the outside is much different from its gorgeous inside, which is a lovely, brilliant, bright green. And they taste great, too.
Magical Properties: Studies show that kiwi may protect against respiratory symptoms associated with asthma, such as wheezing and shortness of breath. Kiwi has long fascinated researchers because of its amazing ability to protect DNA in the nucleus of human cells. It's also loaded with vitamin C, and a good source of vitamin E, vitamin A and fiber.
How to enjoy 'em: Top sliced kiwi and strawberries with nonfat plain yogurt, make a tropical fruit salad or salsa, or simply peel, slice and eat plain.

Apples:
Why we love 'em: Apples are sweet, crunchy and refreshing. And, because apples are a good source of fiber, they not only keep the doctor away, but they keep hunger at bay as well.
The Magic ingredient: Many of the phytochemicals found in apples, including quercetin, catechin, phloridzin and chlorogenic acid, are strong antioxidants. These antioxidants serve to help prevent cancer, heart disease, asthma, and type 2 diabetes.
How to enjoy 'em: Sliced w/a Tbsp. of all natural peanut butter, baked using diet black cherry soda, or chopped up into a carton of Yoplait Light Apple Turnover Yogurt. I love to chop an apple up into tiny bits and heat them up until they are really soft in the microwave, toss them in a little cinnamin and sugar and then add to oatmeal or the whole waffle/yogurt concoction that I seem to love so much (yeah, I know, you probably think I'm weird).

I should add that the waffles that I keep referring to are the whole grain Go Lean frozen waffles...very delish!

Hope this has been helpful to you. All these fruits make tasty (and healthy) desserts for picnics and b-b-q's so get out there and enjoy a fun and healthy summer! If you have any other ideas for these fruits let me know. I know I left out a lot of wonderful fruit but maybe when I get some time to myself I'll write about those. One thing I will add is that you should by some grapes (when they are a good price) and put them in the freezer, they make a great snack during the warm weather!

Love you all!
Tabs
ps. I tried to put pictures on this post but two different computers wouldn't let me....so weird!